Top UN official in Haiti Hedi Annabi's body found

2010-01-17 09:16 BJT

Special Report: Strong Quake Hits Haiti |

Now for the latest developments in the rescue and relief operations in Haiti. The chief of the UN in Haiti, Hedi Annabi, has been found dead in the ruins of the UN headquarters in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

He was meeting with a high-ranking delegation from China when the quake struck. The bodies of all eight Chinese peacekeepers buried in the debris have also been recovered. Four were officials from the Ministry of Public Security. One of the four peace-keeping police was a woman. So far no survivors have been found at the scene. Chinese rescuers and peacekeepers held a mourning ceremony on the site.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon says he's "deeply saddened to confirm the tragic death" of Annabi, his special representative to Haiti, and Annabi's deputy, Luiz Carlos da Costa.